# Household recycling rates bar chart: IELTS Writing Task 1 samples

Writing Task 1 - Academic - Environment

The bar chart below shows the percentage of household waste that was recycled in four countries in 2005, 2015 and 2025.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

![Grouped bar chart of the percentage of household waste recycled in 2005, 2015 and 2025. Germany: 48%, 60%, 66%. Canada: 27%, 39%, 52%. Japan: 21%, 23%, 20%. Brazil: 4%, 11%, 26%.](https://testmigo.com/images/ielts-practice/household-recycling-chart.svg)

Household waste recycled (%), 2005-2025. Illustrative data for practice.

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

The bar chart shows the percentage of household waste which was recycled in four countries, Germany, Canada, Japan and Brazil, in 2005, 2015 and 2025.

Overall, recycling increased in most of the countries during the period.

In 2005, Germany had the highest percentage of recycled waste with 48%. This figure went up to 60% in 2015 and then it increased again to 66% in 2025. Canada also showed a big increase. In 2005 it was 27%, then it rose to 39% in 2015 and finally it reached 52% in 2025.

Japan was different from the other countries. Its recycling rate was 21% in 2005 and it slightly increase to 23% in 2015. However, in 2025 it went down to 20%, so there was nearly no change. Brazil had the lowest rate in 2005, only 4% of household waste was recycled. But it increased very quickly to 11% in 2015 and 26% in 2025, which was higher than Japan.

In conclusion, Germany recycled the most household waste in all three years and Brazil recycled the least, but Brazil improved a lot.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 6 report covers every country and reports the figures accurately in the body, but the overview ("recycling increased in most of the countries") is too vague to guide the reader. The final paragraph then contradicts the data: Brazil did not recycle the least in all three years, because by 2025 Japan's 20% was lower. Description is mostly year by year ("went up", "increased again"), with slips like "it slightly increase" and "nearly no change". For Band 7, the overview should name the key trends up front, and the body should group and compare countries rather than list each one.

## Band 7 sample

The bar chart compares the proportion of household waste that was recycled in Germany, Canada, Japan and Brazil in 2005, 2015 and 2025.

Overall, recycling rates rose in three of the four countries over the twenty-year period, with Germany recording the highest figures throughout. Japan was the exception, as its rate remained broadly stable.

Germany recycled almost half of its household waste (48%) in 2005, and this proportion grew to 60% in 2015 before reaching 66% in 2025. Canada saw a similarly steady rise, although from a lower starting point, with its rate almost doubling from 27% to 52% over the period.

Brazil began with by far the lowest figure, just 4%, but it experienced the most dramatic growth. Its rate almost tripled to 11% in 2015 and then more than doubled again to 26% in 2025. By contrast, Japan's figure hardly changed, increasing marginally from 21% to 23% and then dipping to 20% in 2025. As a result, Japan, which had been well ahead of Brazil in 2005, had the lowest recycling rate of the four countries by the end of the period.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 report has a clear overview that names the main trend, the leader and the exception, and the body groups countries logically: the two steady risers, then Brazil and Japan as a contrast. Phrases like "from a lower starting point" and "by far the lowest" make comparisons rather than just listing numbers. Some details are still reported in sequence ("grew to 60% in 2015 before reaching 66%"). A Band 8 report would select comparisons more sharply, for instance noting that Germany's growth slowed in the second decade, and present the data with even more precise language.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/household-recycling-rates-bar-chart).

## Common questions

### How many words should I write?

At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; an answer under the minimum loses marks.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Memorised material is marked down and you will not get this exact question. Use the samples to see what each band does with the same task.